Spinning for conjugate spinning



Jan. 26, 1965 A. KISER, JR

SPINNING FOR CONJUGATE SPINNING Filed Oct. 24, 1962 film;

FIG. 3.

n m )N R E R m m WK T 1 A aw W O L United States Patent I 3,166,788 31 G FOR CUNJUGATE SPWNING Louis A. Kisser, in, Raleigh, N.C., assignor to Monsanto Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Get. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 232,794 3 (Ilaims. (Cl. 18-8) This invention relates to apparatus for producing artificial fibers of composite character which exhibit a high degree of uniformity in component distribution as between individual fibers. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved spinning apparatus for producing such fibers.

Where it is desired to incorporate the separate characteristics of two individual polymeric species into one filamentary structure, it is frequently advantageous to spin these two polymeric species in such a way that each species is caused to occupy a discrete, precisely controllable zone within the area of the fiber cross-section. This is particularly true where the difierences in properties of the two or more species are such as to produce a crimped fiber when the two species are spun in eccentric relationship to each other. For example, when two polymeric species have different shrinkage characteristics appear in eccentric relationship to each other within a single fiber, that fiber will develop a desirable spiral-type crimp when it is after-treated under conditions which cause the two components to undergo differential shrinkage.

Various embodiments of apparatus for producing composite or side-by-side fibers or filaments from two discrete and different spinnable mediums which are capable forming fibers on evaporation, coagulation, or cooling are described in the prior art. However, such apparatus has not proved to be satisfactory in providing fibers having a high degree of uniformity of distribution of the components making up the fiber cross-section. When a plurality of fibers is spun from a single spinneret, variations in the configuration of the individual fiber cross-sections occur due to variations in the pressure at which the various spinnable mediums are supplied to a given spinneret orifice. In addition, it has been a common objection of presently available spinning apparatus that they are of such design as to inherently limit the number of spinneret orifices that may be provided within a given cross sectional area to such an extent as to discourage commercial applications. In attempting to meet such problems and limitations, intricately machined spinneret apparatus have been proposed that would in some measure do so, but such spinnerets have been found to be prohibitive costly in manufacture and to involve a mixing problem and a variation in polymer distribution pressures when separate spinnable polymers are subjected to a laminar flow prior to being merged and ejected through the spinneret orifices.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a spinning apparatus capable of producing a plurality of multi-component fibers which have uniform distribution of the components over the cross section of each fiber. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved spinning apparatus for use in producing modified sheathcore type conjugated filaments by virtue of a particularly configured feeder duct system. A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved spinning apparatus so designed that it may be manufactured at significantly reduced cost, yet be capable of providing the intricate channeling and passageways necessary to spin multi-component filaments. Still a further object of this invention is to provide a spinning apparatus of such design as to render it capable of simple, rapid assembly and dis assembly without sacrifice to the requirement of precise alignment of the various passageways formed therein.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and 3,16%,78 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 other objects are obtained by providing, in a spinning system, an improved spinneret assembly comprising essentially two basic components, a distribution or adaptor block and a spinneret plate, each of which has formed therein complementary passageways and channeling which cooperate in their assembled position to define a plurality of discrete systems of passageways through which separate spinnable mediums may be conveyed to a point of juncture immediately upstream of a plurality of spinning orifices. The spinneret plate is characterized by at least one pair of concentric rings of intersecting feeder ducts, which arrangement will accommodate an increased number of spinning orifices per unit cross-sectional area, with concomitant reduction in cost of fabrication.

constructional examples of the subject matter of the present invention are illustrated on the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-section of the spinneret assembly showing the relative arrangement of the component parts when in their operative position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the distributor block shown in FIG. 1 with certain hidden parts shown in dotted outline;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the distributor block shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the interface of the spinneret plate shown in FIG. 1 taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the spinneret plate showing one possible arrangement of the spinning orifices that may be accommodated by the present design.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in the assembled, cross-sectional View of FIG. 1 a spinneret assembly 10 which essentially comprises a distributor block 12 and a spinneret plate 14 mounted in faceto-face relationship whereby the internal channeling in the block and plate are aligned to define continuous conduits or passageways. Considering first the details of the distributor block 12, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3, it is seen to comprise an integral block which may be of symmetrical outline in cross-section, through which there extends two supply passages 16, 18. The upper ends of the supply passages, as viewed in FIG. 1, terminate in spaced ports, as best viewed in FIG. 2. The lower end of supply passage 18 is formed to terminate centrally of the interface, as best viewed in FIG. 3, to define a central outlet port 20. Coaxially surrounding this central outlet port is an annular distribution channel 22 which is maintained fluidly discrete from the central outlet port 20 by means of a rib-like partition 24, which is shown as an integral portion of the distributor block 12. The other supply passage 16 extends into the distributor block to intercept the distribution channel 22 at point 26, as viewed in FIG. 1. As will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 1, the distribution channel 22 is of a varying depth, the maximum depth being at the point of intersection of the supply passage 16 therewith and the minimum depth occurring at a point of maximum distance from such intersection. By varying the depth of channel 22 in this manner, variation in the pressure at which a spinnable medium is supplied to the channel by way of supply passage 16 is minimized to thereby assure uniformity of flow between any two or more points of access along the channel.

The details of the spinneret plate 14 may be best understood by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, which depict the spinneret plate as being in the form of a circular disc having substantially parallel surfaces, viz. the upper or interface surface 28 and the lower or exterior surface 30. A central feeder chamber 32 is provided in upper surface 28 in the form of a depression which may be of any desired outline, a circular one being illustrated. Coaxially surrounding the central feeder chamber 32 is annular nicate with the central feeder chamber 32.

;like partition 36 which terminates at a point flush with upper surface 28. At uniformly spaced intervals along the entire dimension of the annular feeder chamber 3 there are provided outer feeder ducts 33, which ducts are seen to extend from the lower depths of chamber 34 in a radially inwardly and downward direction to intersect inner feeder ducts 4%, which latter ducts commu- A main feeder duct 42 interconnects the juncture of feeder ducts 38, 4b with spinning orifices 44, which orifices may best be viewed in FIG. 5, wherein they may be seen to be in a circular arrangement interposed radially between the two feeder chambers 32, 34. As may be seen from an inspection of FIG. 1, feeder ducts 38, 46 are of substantially unvarying cross-sectional area along a substantial portion of their lengths. This feature has been found to i give particular beneficial results, especially where it is desired to spin sheath-core type filaments, wherein one or more components of a given viscosity are wholly or partially enclosed by another or other components of a differing viscosity to thereby compensate for lack of sufficient adherency between the various components.

Preparatory to a spinning operation employing the instant spinneret assembly, the spinneret plate 14 is placed in face-to-face contact with the distributor block 12 wherein the upper or interface surface 28 of the spinneret plate abuts the lower face 45 of the distributor block. Theblock and plate are manipulated to bring distribution channel 22 into juxtaposition with annular feeder chamber 34- and central outlet port Ztl into juxtaposition with central feeder chamber 32, whereupon the assembly is ready to receive materials to be spun. In operation,

separate spinna-ble mediums are supplied to the supply passages 16, 18, the medium entering supply 16 being conveyed to the variable depth distribution channel 22 where .it is under uniform pressure distributed to the annular feeder chamber 34, to thence be fed through the outer feeder ducts 38, main feeder duct 42, thence to be extruded as a continuous filament through spinning orifices 44. The spinnable medium entering through supply passage 18 is conveyed by way of central outlet port 20 to the central feeder chamber 32, thence to the inner feeder ducts 40, where it merges with the spinnable medium being conveyed along the outer feeder ducts 38, the merged flow proceeding in a laminar fashion through main feeder duct 42 to be extruded as a continuous, conr jugated filament comprising at least two eccentrically disposed filamentary components.

It will be appreciated that there has been herewith disclosed a significantly improved spinning apparatus having a novel and a highly beneficial co-action among its small number of simply configured, interrelated parts which make possible new economies in fabrication and which is capable of obtaining a high degree of quality in the end product without sacrifice to its ease of operation. It will be obvious that numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein and is not to be otherwise limited than by the full and fair scope of the appended claims when construed in the light of the i accompanying disclosure by one skilled in the art appurtenant thereto.

What is claimed is:

1, In an apparatus for use in spinning a plurality of conjugated filaments, which apparatus includes means for supplying a plurality of discrete spinnable mediums, a disc-shaped spinneret means having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel surfaces, one of said surfaces having formed therein a central depression, an annular groove surrounding said central depression, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, substantially Y-shaped feeder passages interconnecting said depression and said groove with the obverse surface of said sp-inneret means.

2. In an apparatus for use in spinning a plurality of conjugated filaments, which apparatus includes means for supplying a plurality of discrete spinnable mediums, the improvement comprising a spinneret means having a disc-like body portion having a pair of spaced, substantially planar surfaces, a central depression of circular outline formed in one of. said surfaces, an annular groove coaxially surrounding said central depression and spaced thereform, the depth of said groove varying to a maximum at its radially inward extremity, a plurality of circumferentially spaced spinning orifices formed in the obverse surface, a plurality of c'ircurnferentially spaced, substantially Y-shaped feeder ducts interconnecting said annular groove and said central depression with said spinning orifices.

3. A spinneret assembly for use in spinning a plurality of conjugated filaments, which assembly comprises a distribution means and a spinneret means maintained in fluid-tight, face-to-face relationship with one another, said distribution means comprising an integral body portion having at least one substantially planar first surface, a first sup-ply duct extending through said body portion and terminating substantially centrally of said planar surface to thereat define a central supply port, a distribution channel formed in said planar surface to circumscribe said supply port and being radially spaced therefrom, the depth of said channel varying, in a circumferential direact-ion therealong, between a maximum at one point and a minimum at a point 180 removed therefrom, a second supply duct extending through said body portion and terminating at the point of maximum depth of said channel, said spinneret means comprising a disc-like body portion having at least one substantially planar second surface in face-to-face contact with said first planar surface, said second planar surface having formed therein a central depression in alignment with said supply port, an annular feeder grove formed in said second surface in alignment with said distribution channel and being spaced from and circumscribing said central depression, a plurality of circumferential-Hy spaced, Y-shaped feeder ducts interconnecting said groove and depression with the obverse side of said spinneret to thereat define a plurality of spinning orifices.

References Jilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,386,173 Kulp et al. Oct. 2, 1945 2,861,319 Breen Nov. 25, 1958 3,014,237 Breen Dec. 26, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,248,593 France Feb. 9, 1960 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,166,788 January 26, 1965 Louis A. Kiser, Jr,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the heading to the sheet of drawing, line 2, and in the heading to the printed specification, line 2, name of invention, for "SPINNING FOR CONJUGATE SPINNING", each occurrence, read CONJUGATE SPINNERET column 3, line 10, for "dlrection" read direction column 4, line 50, for "grove" read groove Signed and sealed this 13th day of July 1965.

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN SPINNING A PLURALITY OF CONJUGATED FILAMENTS, WHICH APPARATUS INCLUDES MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A PLURALITY OF DISCRETE SPINNABLE MEDIUMS, A DISC-SHAPED SPINNERET MEANS HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SURFACES, ONE OF SAID SURFACES HAVING FORMED THEREIN A CENTRAL DEPRESSION, AN ANNULAR GROOVE SURROUNDING SAID CENTRAL DEPRESSION, A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED, SUBSTANTIALLY Y-SHAPED FEEDER PASSAGES INTERCONNECTING SAID DEPRESSION AND SAID GROOVE WITH THE OBVERSE SURFACE OF SAID SPINNERET MEANS. 